The Nets and Bobcats have had discussions about a trade that would send Charlotte's Ben Gordon to Brooklyn for Kris Humphries, according to league sources.

The talks are ongoing, but sources said no trade is imminent.

A Gordon-for-Humphries trade works financially as both players make $12 million a year.

The Nets' interest in Gordon stems from their need for better ways to space the floor. Ranked 21st in the league in 3-point shooting, Brooklyn regularly has seen opponents clog the lane.

Gordon, averaging 13.1 points per game for Charlotte, is shooting 41.7 percent from beyond the arc and would open up things inside for the Nets. Brooklyn envisions Gordon as a third guard who would come off the bench and play a role similar to those played by J.R. Smith with the New York Knicks and Jason Terry with the Boston Celtics.

The move also would give the Nets the option of going small with Gerald Wallace, Joe Johnson, Deron Williams and Gordon joining Brook Lopez at the end of games.

The Nets view Humphries, averaging 6.0 points and 6.4 rebounds a game, as expendable because he and Reggie Evans are similar-styled players.

Charlotte is looking for frontcourt help and feels it has enough guards, with Kemba Walker, Ramon Sessions and Gerald Henderson, to survive losing its third-leading scorer.

The Bobcats previously have had interest in Humphries. They pursued him in free agency last summer, offering him a three-year deal worth $28 million.

After a bout of disruptive behavior from Ben Gordon targeted at Charlotte Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap, the franchise's desire to trade the guard has deepened, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

As Dunlap led the Bobcats in a morning shootaround on Monday before a victory over the Celtics, Gordon refused Dunlap's request to stop bouncing a ball as the coach spoke, sources said. Before long, Gordon began baiting Dunlap, telling him that he needed to "humble himself," sources said.

Gordan refused to give the ball to Dunlap, and eventually tossed it toward a ball rack, sources said.

Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins was in the practice session and ultimately intervened, sources said.

"Beyond disrespectful," was how one league source described the scene.

The front office didn't suspend Gordon, a decision sources said was based in part on the belief the incident would diminish his trade value so close to the league's deadline next Thursday. The Brooklyn Nets are still mulling an offer to trade forward Kris Humphries for Gordon, but have thus far been unmoved over the possibility Gordon can make an impact for them, sources said.

For now, the Nets are searching elsewhere, believing they can always go back and accept the Gordon deal at the deadline. Gordon's performance has steadily fallen this season, including an unproductive 14 minutes against the Celtics that included missing five of six shots.

Gordon makes $12.4 million this season and $13.2 million in 2013-14. The Detroit Pistons traded Gordon to the Bobcats in June.